There were flurries of snow and rain during the night. By morning it was just light drizzle. By the time I set off the drizzle had turned to snow and it was very dull. Riding along the A151 I was passed as usual by large vehicle far too close. The added worry was seeing a sign saying this stretch of road was an accident black spot. After Grimsthorpe

Newton's back gate

I was able to get rid of the busy road. The road was much quieter but the snow and low cloud reduced the views to nothing. The roads got narrower as I headed west then I had to cross the main A1. It was like the fast lane of the M6. Eventually there was a gap in the traffic and I managed to get to the central reservation. The other carriageway wasn’t as bad and I was soon heading north for a short way then back on to minor lanes to Woolsthorpe. I was heading for Woolsthorpe Manor, once the home of Isaac Newton.

Woolsthorpe Manor

Woolsthorpe Manor and the snow covered orchard

I reached the car park around 10am but the sign on the door said they didn’t open till 11. I cycled round the lanes to the north side of the house and grounds to get a better view. I managed to get a reasonable view over the wall and could see the orchard where Sir Isaac realised there was work to be done on the concept of gravity. The weather wasn’t good for photos so it’s a location I’ll try and return to on a better day. I followed the lanes to the west passing through attractive villages to Melton Mowbray.

Melton Mowbray pie shop

Pie making

Lovely pies

The temperature was still ridiculously cold for the time of year. During today’s ride it was between 3 and 5degC. In the town I visited the original Pork Pie shop and was pleased to see a demonstration inside showing the making of the famous pies. I bought half a large pie and had it for my lunch. I left the town and headed west on the A6006. Eventually I left the main road and enjoyed riding though the rural villages of Hoby and Thrussington. The countryside was now turning much more urban and when I reached my planned stop for the night I’d missed the shop where I’d hoped to buy water. It was also too early so I pressed on to Loughborough. I picked up some water from a Tesco shop and continued along the very busy A6. A possible pitch near a section of old road was unsuitable as it was full of vehicles. I pressed on to Long Whatton and found a muddy field between the road and sewage works. It was noisy from the traffic and far from ideal. But any port in a storm.

Raised path near the Grand Union Canal